Proclamation
   

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF

CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING MAY 2009 AS

 

LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

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WHEREAS, the California Legislature has declared May 2009 Lyme Disease Awareness Month; and

   

WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is an infectious disease caused by spirochetal (spy-roh-keet-al) bacteria called Borrelia carried by ticks; and

   

WHEREAS, the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made Lyme Disease a nationally notifiable condition in 1982 and estimates that only 10 percent of the Lyme Disease cases are actually reported and the current CDC surveillance criteria is outdated and leads to gross underreporting; and

   

WHEREAS, Lyme Disease affects the brain, heart and joints, can impact all organs and organ systems, and mimics many other diseases. Patients are often misdiagnosed with more familiar conditions including depression, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease or psychiatric illness; and

   

WHEREAS, it is in May that a new generation of nymphal ticks emerges. Thus, it is fitting that May be declared Lyme Disease Awareness Month in order to encourage the citizens of San Mateo County to seek accurate information about effective ways of protecting themselves from ticks and learning about which tests to order to diagnose this serious and debilitating disease. Proper diagnosis is especially important because it leads to appropriate treatment of tick bites and long-term antibiotic treatment for chronic cases.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors designates the month of May 2009 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month throughout San Mateo County and supports efforts that help protect San Mateo County residents.

 

Dated: May 19, 2009

     
     
     
 

    SUPERVISORS:

  
     
   

________________________________
MARK CHURCH, President

     
   

______________________________
CAROLE GROOM

     
   

________________________________
RICHARD S. GORDON

     
   

________________________________
ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

     
   

________________________________
ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

__________________________________

Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors